MLB criticized vetoed Arizona rights bill

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball issued a statement criticizing legislation in Arizona that Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a few hours later.

Senate Bill 1062 set off a national debate over gay rights, religion and discrimination and subjected the state to criticism from major corporations and political leaders from both parties.

Before Brewer vetoed the bill Wednesday, the baseball commissioner's office said: "As the sport of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball and its 30 clubs stand united behind the principles of respect, inclusion and acceptance. Those values are fundamental to our game's diverse players, employees and fans. We welcome individuals of different sexual orientations, races, religions, genders and national origins."

The statement went on to say "MLB has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation, as reflected by our collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players Association. Accordingly, MLB will neither support nor tolerate any words, attitudes or actions that imperil the inclusive communities that we have strived to foster within our game."